The Kenya Sevens rugby team was given a red carpet reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after their Spanish dance in Madrid that saw them back in the World Rugby Sevens Circuit.
Shujaa, under the guidance of coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua gave a magical show in the Spanish capital, thumping Germany 33-15 in the play-off match that left the fans salivating for more as they stamped their ticket back to the high table of world sevens rugby stylishly.
Principal Secretary for Sports Peter Tum who was in company of Deputy Director at the Department of Sports Caroline Kariuki, top, received the magnificent team at the airport yesterday. Other Ministry of Sports officials, Kenya Rugby Union top officials, sponsors Sportpesa, families and friends were also present for the huge celebrations that were characterized by song, dance and ululations.
The player-caravan passed through major city estates and ended at the Ministry of Sports offices in Upper Hill late in the afternoon.
PS Tum congratulated the gallant heroes for their stellar show in Madrid and the entire process in their quest for return to the HSBC World Seven Series.
He promised that the state will reward the team handsomely for their stellar performances away from home.
“As a Ministry and a Country we are very proud of this team. They have worked hard to achieve this feat. As a government, we are promising two things; we will continue supporting teams that are giving us medals like this one (Shujaa). We will reward this team in a great way, as is always our tradition to our world beaters,” PS Tum told People Sport.
The Ministry of Sport has planned a sumptuous dinner for Shujaa today evening at a city hotel.
On their way to glory in Madrid, Shujaa thrashed Samoa 19-12 in the first assignment before a narrow fall of 10-7 against Spain. The team came back stronger against Chile with a 36-7 victory. The icing on the cake was the remarkable triumph of 33-15 against Germany in the play-off, a game that was watched by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba who led the cheers for the Kenyan boys from the stands.
Coach Wambua described the feeling of returning to the World Rugby Series as ecstatic. He noted that their success was not a one-man show but a team unit, crediting the achievement to player dedication and a dependable technical bench.
“Credit goes back to the players, they are the ones who achieved this feat and they are the real shujaas. Brotherhood, taking care of each other on and off the pitch did help us to achieve our goals in Spain. This is an ecstatic feeling, I have a solid technical team and also two solid captains who were driving our messages home to the players.”
After the return to the HSBC series,the Kenya Sevens team will take a substantial breather break and will return to training late this month to orchestrate a winning formula for the Olympics in Paris where they are targeting a podium finish.
“It is very achievable most definitely, nothing is impossible. That is the conversation that we will have when we sit down together and really focus on what will help us achieve that and I am sure we will make the right decisions,” said coach Wambua when asked about Shujaa’s ambitions at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Kenya Sevens Team
Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi,Kevin Wekesa,John Okoth,Brian Tanga, George Ooro,Patrick Odongo, Samuel Asari,Herman Humwa,Nygel Amaitsa,Lamec Ambetsa,Chrisant Ojwang and Brian Mutua.
Coach
Kelvin Wambua
